"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (12 Viewers)

[Admiral Beez]

Let's load them up.

Does Ukraine use EU rail gauge? It's a shame to have to de-train at the Polish border, especially as train marshalling yards near Poland have to be target #1 for Russia now.

If not EU gauge, I bet they will be when it's time to rebuild the nation's infrastructure.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Errr....the Tonka isn't in service any more, either...at least not with the RAF. They're all in museums now. The Luftwaffe still operates a few in the ECR role and the RSAF has some...but I think that's about it (maybe a few in Italy, too?).

The German Luftwaffe still has 75 multirole Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike variant), and 30 Tornado ECR (Electronic Warfare) variants in service.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Now that Biden has unleashed the Abrams, can the MGM-140 ATACMS be far off? It's time to deal with that Kerch bridge once and for all.

 

[GTX]

View: https://twitter.com/MikecirulloMike/status/1617980319612932096

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Another reason Germany still uses its aging Tornados, and why it won't part with them without a suitable replacement…

The German Air Force has been flying Tornado jets since 1980s. It plans to gradually retire the fleet between 2025 and 2030.


Currently, Tornado is the only German aircraft that can be equipped with US nuclear bombs, Reuters added.

Germany to buy F-35 fighter jets to replace ageing Tornado fleet

Germany is set to purchase F-35 fighter jets to replace its ageing Tornado fleet, Reuters reported quoting two government sources.

www.airforce-technology.com

 

[Admiral Beez]

Another reason Germany still uses its aging Tornados, and why it won't part with them without a suitable replacement…

I still find it amazing that eleven months into this war the only western-designed manned aircraft provided thus far to Ukraine are a trio of retired ex-FAA Sea King helicopters. Forget the Tornadoes, but surely we could have provided some UH-60s, or if that's too grandiose - maybe some UH-1s? Hopefully Abrams soon lead to F-16s.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

View: https://twitter.com/MikecirulloMike/status/1617980319612932096

Which likely are in a complete state of disrepair and in terrible condition. The aircraft and vehicles are likely not airworthy or combat ready. Lack of spare parts and qualified maintenance technicians likely have assured this.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I still find it amazing that eleven months into this war the only western-designed manned aircraft provided thus far to Ukraine are a trio of retired ex-FAA Sea King helicopters. Forget the Tornadoes, but surely we could have provided some UH-60s, or if that's too grandiose - maybe some UH-1s? Hopefully Abrams soon lead to F-16s.

We've been over this already…

 

[Admiral Beez]

View: https://twitter.com/MikecirulloMike/status/1617980319612932096

Russian support of the Taliban won't put Putin into Beijing's good books. The latter is already dealing with what they perceive as a growing Islamist movement in its NW.

 

[GTX]

Russian support of the Taliban won't put Putin into Beijing's good books. The latter is already dealing with what they perceive as a growing Islamist movement in its NW.

and yet:

Taliban and China firm agree Afghanistan oil extraction deal

It is the first major energy extraction agreement with a foreign firm since the Taliban took power.

www.bbc.com

 

[GTX]

Which likely are in a complete state of disrepair and in terrible condition. The aircraft and vehicles are likely not airworthy or combat ready. Lack of spare parts and qualified maintenance technicians likely have assured this.

About the only practical uses would be:

• Unternehmen Greif style operation
• Propaganda use - "look here at the Amerikanski/NATO platforms we destroyed...
• General study to identify weaknesses

 

[special ed]

'You see him in a state of real worry': Putin has a big decision to make

Vladimir Putin could be looking to once again draw from Russia’s immense population to reinvigorate his army. But whether the victory he so desperately craves will follow is questionable, writes Steve Cannane.

www.abc.net.au

Possibly because of this intel, the speedy release of tanks and maybe F-16s.

 

[GTX]

but surely we could have provided some UH-60s, or if that's too grandiose - maybe some UH-1s?

Actually the Mi-8/17s the Ukrainians already have are probably better.

 

[GTX]

Even some of these would be nice though I believe they are long gone...

View attachment 703781

Interestingly enough the Ukrainians do have at least 1, albeit an unarmed one:

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-ukrainian-armed-forces-received-a-demilitarized-german-mbb-bo-105-helicopter/

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Putin has burned so many political bridges that it's impossible for any normalization of relations with the West until he's replaced.

It reminds me of a lyric from a Steely Dan song, "Babylon Sisters":

The kid will live and learn
as he watches his bridges burn
from the point of no return.

Though I confess I don't think Putin is learning all that much at all.

 

[Admiral Beez]

RT is always good for a chuckle.

NATO's best tanks are going to Ukraine, what will it mean on the battlefield?

NATO countries announced supply of main battle tanks to Ukraine

www.rt.com

"A small number of these tanks manned by poorly trained crews and lacking full-scale maintenance and supply infrastructure support would most likely yield negative results. They will fail to change Ukraine's fortunes on the battlefield, while images of burning American tanks will likely hurt US public opinion."

 

[Glider]

RT is always good for a chuckle.

NATO's best tanks are going to Ukraine, what will it mean on the battlefield?

NATO countries announced supply of main battle tanks to Ukraine

www.rt.com

"A small number of these tanks manned by poorly trained crews and lacking full-scale maintenance and supply infrastructure support would most likely yield negative results. They will fail to change Ukraine's fortunes on the battlefield, while images of burning American tanks will likely hurt US public opinion."

I think RT got this bit right but the results may not be what they want

At the end of the day though, these discussions lack any practical value. The battlefield is the only litmus test for the advantages and drawbacks of any type of weapon or military equipment. Reliable statistics on combat use are all that is required for a comparative analysis of modern main battle tanks, if it is to be credible
And this bit
With this in mind, the Russian armed forces must achieve tangible military and political results long before western arms supplies reach their full potential

 

[GTX]

Are the German Leopard 2 tanks powerful enough to drive back the Russians from Ukraine?

After weeks of hesitation, Germany has finally granted Ukraine access to its powerful Leopard 2 tanks. But are they enough to turn the tide against the immense Russian army?

www.abc.net.au

 

[Greg Boeser]

The only drawback is, when they get knocked out, you can't paint a Z on them and claim they are Russian.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Are the German Leopard 2 tanks powerful enough to drive back the Russians from Ukraine?

After weeks of hesitation, Germany has finally granted Ukraine access to its powerful Leopard 2 tanks. But are they enough to turn the tide against the immense Russian army?

www.abc.net.au

"It combines manoeuvrability with a high degree of protection and a powerful, powerful machine gun," Dr Tallis said."

I think he meant main gun.